Occupation names have changed over the years. Here is a list that may be helpful in identifying an ancestor's occupation. Many early settlers were farmers or ranchers but other occupations such as a blacksmith could help identify the correct ancestor, especially for those ancestors with a common name.

Old Occupations Explained

Accomptant -- AccountantAlmoner -- Giver of charity to the needyAmanuensis -- Secretary or stenographerArtificer -- A soldier mechanic who does repairsBailie -- BailiffBaxter -- BakerBluestocking -- Female writerBoniface -- Keeper of an innBrazier -- One who works with brassBrewster -- Beer manufacturerBrightsmith -- Metal WorkerBurgonmaster -- MayorCaulker -- One who filled up cracks (in ships or windows or seems to them watertight by using tar or oakum-hemp fiber produced by taking old ropes apartChaisemaker -- Carriage makerChandler -- Dealer or trader; one who makes or sells candles; retailer of groceriesChiffonnier -- Wig makerClark -- ClerkClerk -- Clergyman, clericClicker -- The servant of a salesman who stood at the door to invite customers; one who received the matter in the galley from the compositors and arranged it in due form ready for printing; one who makes eyelet holes in boots using a machine which clicked.Cohen -- Priest (descendant of Levi)Collier -- Coal minerColporteur -- Peddler of booksCooper -- One who makes or repairs vessels made of staves and hoops, such as casks, barrels, tubs, etc.Cordwainer -- Shoemaker, originally any leather worker using leather from Cordova/Cordoba in SpainCostermonger -- Peddler of fruits and vegetablesCrocker -- PotterCrowner -- CoronerCurrier -- One who dresses the coat of a horse with a currycomb; one who tanned leather by incorporating oil or greaseDocker Stevedore, dock worker who loads and unloads cargoDowser -- One who finds water using a rod or witching stickDraper -- A dealer in dry goodsDrayman -- One who drives a long strong cart without fixed sides for carrying heavy loadsDresser -- A surgeon's assistant in a hospitalDrover -- One who drives cattle, sheep, etc. to market; a dealer in cattleDuffer -- PeddlerFactor -- Agent, commission merchant; one who acts or transacts business for another; Scottish steward or bailiff of an estate Farrier A blacksmith, one who shoes horsesFaulkner -- FalconerFell monger -- One who removes hair or wool from hides in preparation for leather makingFletcher -- One who made bows and arrowsFuller -- One who fulls cloth;one who shrinks and thickens woolen cloth by moistening, heating, and pressing; one who cleans and finishes clothGaoler -- A keeper of the goal, a jailerGlazier -- Window glassmanHacker -- Maker of hoesHatcheler -- One who combed out or carded flaxHaymonger -- Dealer in hayHayward -- Keeper of fencesHiggler -- Itinerant peddlerHillier -- Roof tilerHind -- A farm laborerHostler -- A groom who took care of horses, often at an innHooker -- ReaperHooper -- One who made hoops for casks and barrelsHuckster -- Sells small waresHusbandman -- A farmer who cultivated the landJagger -- Fish peddlerJourneyman -- One who had served his apprenticeship and mastered his craft, not bound to serve a master, but hired by the dayJoyner / Joiner A skilled carpenterKeeler -- BargemanKempster -- Wool comberLardner -- Keeper of the cupboardLavender -- Washer womanLederer -- Leather makerLeech -- PhysicianLongshoreman -- StevedoreLormer -- Maker of horse gearMalender -- FarmerMaltster -- BrewerManciple -- A stewardMason -- BricklayerMintmaster -- One who issued local currencyMonger -- Seller of goods (ale, fish)Muleskinner -- TeamsterNeatherder -- Herds cowsOrdinary Keeper -- Innkeeper with fixed pricesPattern Maker -- A maker of a clog shod with an iron ring. A clog was a wooden pole with a pattern cut into the endPeregrinator Itinerant wandererPeruker -- A wig makerPettifogger -- A shyster lawyerPigman -- Crockery dealerPlumber -- One who applied sheet lead for roofing and set lead frames for plain or stained glass windows.Porter -- Door keeperPuddler -- Wrought iron workerQuarrier -- Quarry workerRigger -- Hoist tackle workerRipper -- Seller of fishRoper -- Maker of rope or netsSaddler -- One who makes, repairs or sells saddles or other furnishings for horsesSawbones -- PhysicianSawyer -- One who saws; carpenterSchumacker -- ShoemakerScribler -- A minor or worthless authorScrivener -- Professional or public copyist or writer; notary publicScrutiner -- Election judgeShrieve -- SheriffSlater -- RooferSlopseller -- Seller of ready-made clothes in a slop shopSnobscat/Snob -- One who repaired shoesSorter -- TailorSpinster -- A woman who spins or an unmarried womanSpurrer -- Maker of spursSquire -- Country gentleman; farm owner; justice of peaceStuff gown -- Junior barristerStuff gownsman -- Junior barristerSupercargo -- Officer on merchant ship who is in charge of cargo and the commercial concerns of the shipTanner -- One who tans (cures) animal hides into leatherTapley -- One who puts the tap in an ale caskTasker -- ReaperTeamster -- One who drives a team for haulingThatcher -- RooferTide waiter -- Customs inspectorTinker -- An itinerant tin pot and pan seller and repairmanTipstaff -- PolicemanTravers -- Toll bridge collectionTucker -- Cleaner of cloth goodsTurner -- A person who turns wood on a lathe into spindlesVictualer -- A tavern keeper, or one who provides an army, navy, or ship with foodVulcan -- BlacksmithWagoner -- Teamster not for hireWainwright -- Wagon makerWaiter -- Customs officer or tide waiter; one who waited on the tide to collect duty on goods brought inWaterman -- Boatman who plies for hireWebster -- Operator of loomsWharfinger -- Owner of a wharfWheelwright -- One who made or repaired wheels; wheeled carriages, etc.Whitesmith -- Tinsmith; worker of iron who finishes or polishes the workWhitewing -- Street sweeper